The Uptown Program is designed to fast-track the formation of local business communities & facilitate the growth of their districts into vibrant going-out hubs in line with the NSW Government's 24-Hour Economy Strategy for Greater Sydney.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $100,000 to $200,000
- Application opened: 7 February 2023
- Application closed: 9 March 2023, 2:00 pm
Program objective
The Uptown Grant Program (Round 1) aims to establish self-sustaining districts that have a distinct identity and offering by:
- installing a co-ordination function for effective district management
- building consumer engagement and connection with the district.
The program will deliver this objective by providing seed funding to teams of aligned local business communities (district teams) to support them with the establishment and coordination of their district, and consumer engagement activities.
This program is administered by Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport and Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.
This program is funded by Create NSW and Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.
Eligibility
The program is open to eligible applicants from distinct geographical districts within Greater Sydney that demonstrate a unique identity and entertainment offering and a sustainable operating model.
Who can apply
District teams that meet the following eligibility criteria can apply:
are an incorporated association or an alternative or proposed entity
are in an eligible local government area (LGA).
Districts are distinct local geographical areas (such as high streets or blocks of streets) that have a unique identity and diverse cultural and entertainment offerings across multiple venues and locations. Districts can cross local government borders. Applicants will be asked during the application process to identify the geographical boundary of their district, noting that funding cannot be used for activities outside of the approved district.
A district team is made up of 5 or more local businesses and other organisations that are aligned under a unified identity as a means of engaging residents in and visitors to a district.
District teams can apply for seed funding valued at up to $200,000 but no less than $100,000, excluding GST.
| 1. Bayside Council | 12. City of Hawkesbury | 23. City of Parramatta |
| 2. Blacktown City Council | 13. The Hills Shire | 24. City of Penrith |
| 3. Blue Mountains City Council | 14. Hornsby Shire | 25. City of Randwick |
| 4. Municipality of Burwood | 15. Municipality of Hunter’s Hill | 26. City of Ryde |
| 5. Camden Council | 16. Inner West Council | 27. Municipality of Strathfield |
| 6. Campbelltown City Council | 17. Ku-ring-gai Council | 28. Sutherland Shire |
| 7. City of Canada Bay | 18. Lane Cove Council | 29. City of Sydney |
| 8. City of Canterbury-Bankstown | 19. City of Liverpool | 30. Waverley Council |
| 9. Cumberland City Council | 20. Mosman Council | 31. City of Willoughby |
| 10. Fairfield City Council | 21. North Sydney Council | 32. Municipality of Woollahra |
| 11. Georges River Council | 22. Northern Beaches Council | 33. Wollondilly Shire |
Who can't apply
Ineligible entities for the program include:
- an individual (including sole traders)
- partnerships
- businesses that are insolvent
- Australian or NSW Government agencies, state owned corporations, or statutory authorities
- local government authorities or their Section 355 Committees.
Eligible activities
Establishment and coordination
A minimum of 50% of the total allocated funding must be spent on establishing and coordinating your district. This activity may take the
form of:
- salary/wages and entitlements for employees specifically engaged for the project, that is the direct employment of a staff member to manage the coordination of your district and its activities
- contract employment of a staff member(s) to manage the coordination of your district and its activities
- third party professional services to manage the coordination of your district and its activities.
Note: The staff member may be employed by either the incorporated association, alternative or proposed entity or a member business that is reimbursed. Businesses will be required to provide evidence of any payments relating to the above activities. Payments must be in line with relevant standards, industry rates and awards (if applicable).
Consumer engagement
The remaining funding may be used for marketing and promotional activities to increase consumer awareness and engagement with the district (excluding consumer events and activations). This activity may take the form of:
- advertising and/or marketing campaign (including design and production costs)
- public relations
- website development
- consumer-facing engagement tool(s)
- trade events.
What can't be funded
The following activities are ineligible for funding under the proceeds of a grant under the program.
- consumer events and activations
- rent and utilities
- maintenance and repairs
- capital works
- equipment
- fundraising/prizes
- education
- filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation or film festivals
- activity that constitutes the normal course of business for district team members
- activity that takes place outside of the eligible district
- activity that takes place after the end of the grant funding period.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
You can only submit 1 application for your district team.
A business is eligible to participate in only 1 district team, with the exception of businesses operating multiple venues under one ABN.
Businesses operating multiple venues under one ABN are eligible to participate in more than 1 district team, provided that:
- each venue participates in only 1 district team
- each venue operates at a different address
- the venue name and address are specified in the application form, in addition to the business name.
You will need to provide as part of your application:
- the total grant amount requested
- a district team profile including a list of the number, names and details of businesses involved
- evidence that your district team:
- is represented by an incorporated association including your membership, constitution, and ABN or
- is or will be represented by an alternative or proposed entity.
- a nominated lead representative for your district team, including contact information and relevant identity documentation
- a description of the geographical boundary of your district including the LGA(s) in which the district is located
- a clear and concise district vision
- evidence of current partnerships and/or a plan to identify and develop future partnerships, to illustrate a sustainable approach beyond this seed funding
- a well substantiated budget plan for how you will spend the grant, including marketing costs for planned brand assets and details of any co-contributions to the activity
- how you will manage risks and governance.
Incorporated association
To be eligible to apply, the incorporated association must:
- have an applicable Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be an incorporated association at the time of application
- be registered for GST
- be able to execute a funding agreement with the NSW Government if successful.
Alternative or proposed entity
To be eligible to apply, the alternative or proposed entity must:
- be represented by a lead applicant with an applicable Australian Business Number (ABN)
- include a minimum of 5 businesses (inclusive of the lead applicant)
- have or will obtain an applicable Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be or can become registered for GST
- be able to execute a funding agreement if successful.
Note: District teams proposing to become an incorporated association should apply under the ‘Alternative or proposed entity’ stream.
Your application will be assessed against the following 5 assessment criteria: composition, governance and budget, vision, use of funds and longevity.
| Assessment criteria and weighting | Evidence to include in application |
|---|---|
| Composition (20%) | Demonstrate diversity within the incorporated district team’s membership and/or remit. Details of the membership of the district team including a breakdown of:
|
| Governance and budget (20%) | Evidence of the incorporated association or alternative or proposed entity and the financial budget of the proposed activities to be undertaken.
|
| Vision (20%) | Demonstrate the district team’s vision and approach to delivering it. A vision statement for the district that summarises the district’s aims and a high-level framework of how the district team will deliver it. The vision should include:
Demonstrate alignment between the district team’s vision and the objectives of the Uptown Grant Program (that is, to create self-sustainable districts that have a distinct identity and offering, coordination function in place, and strong brand engagement with consumers). |
| Use of funds (20%) | Evidence of how the district team:
|
| Longevity (20%) | Demonstrate capacity to secure partnerships and other revenue streams. Evidence of how your district team will employ strategies to identify, attract and engage sponsors, partners, councils and other government agencies, including evidence of any past or current partnerships (this may include activities of individual members of the district teams). |
Assessment criteria and weighting Composition (20%) Evidence to include in application Demonstrate diversity within the incorporated district team’s membership and/or remit. Details of the membership of the district team including a breakdown of:
|
Assessment criteria and weighting Governance and budget (20%) Evidence to include in application Evidence of the incorporated association or alternative or proposed entity and the financial budget of the proposed activities to be undertaken.
|
Assessment criteria and weighting Vision (20%) Evidence to include in application Demonstrate the district team’s vision and approach to delivering it. A vision statement for the district that summarises the district’s aims and a high-level framework of how the district team will deliver it. The vision should include:
Demonstrate alignment between the district team’s vision and the objectives of the Uptown Grant Program (that is, to create self-sustainable districts that have a distinct identity and offering, coordination function in place, and strong brand engagement with consumers). |
Assessment criteria and weighting Use of funds (20%) Evidence to include in application Evidence of how the district team:
|
Assessment criteria and weighting Longevity (20%) Evidence to include in application Demonstrate capacity to secure partnerships and other revenue streams. Evidence of how your district team will employ strategies to identify, attract and engage sponsors, partners, councils and other government agencies, including evidence of any past or current partnerships (this may include activities of individual members of the district teams). |
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade (DEIT).
Confirmation: Once you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation from our secure online grants system. Applications received after the closing date and time will be considered late and extension or late submissions will not be accepted.
Eligibility check: Your application will then be checked for eligibility against the published Eligibility Criteria. If eligible, your application will proceed to the next assessment stage. If ineligible, you will be advised via email within 14 days of the closing date and your application may not proceed to assessment.
DEIT reserves the right to provide applicants with an opportunity to provide clarification or additional information regarding eligibility requirements, as long as the principles of probity are not breached. Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible unless otherwise determined by DEIT.
Governance review: DEIT or a nominated advisor will review and provide advice to the assessment panel on how an application made by an incorporated association or alternative or proposed entity meets the governance criteria after the eligibility criteria is met. This is to ensure sufficiently robust governance and accountability in the operating model.
Assessment stage 1: The assessment panel will then assess all eligible applications against the published assessment criteria. The assessment panel will be chaired by DEIT and include senior representatives from at least 2 different NSW Government agencies. External experts/advisors may be invited to provide advice as part of the assessment process.
Assessment stage 2: The assessment panel scores will be amalgamated and presented at an assessment meeting to determine their final recommendations. They will consider the assessment criteria, the demographics, distribution, range, and scale of the initial recommendations.
This may include prioritising applicants, individuals and activities with outcomes that address and ensure equity and the best outcomes for NSW Government investment. DEIT may also request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process.
You are not guaranteed funding, or the full funding amount requested, even if your application meets the assessment criteria.
Application results: All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications under embargo as soon as possible after an application is approved.
If your application is successful, you will be sent a funding agreement (contract). This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements.
Support and contact
For further information or clarification, please contact Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade staff between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on:
Phone: (02) 8289 6520
Email: uptown@create.nsw.gov.au